Detroit Lions notes: Pettigrew waived, ending his career in Detroit; Levy may play on Sunday

Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy watches during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew catches a ball after an NFL football organized team activity in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: December 9, 2016 at 2:58 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:36 a.m.

ALLEN PARK >> Within two weeks Brandon Pettigrew went from eager to return to action to being swept out the door.

The long-time Detroit Lions tight end was waived from reserve/non-football injury on Friday afternoon.

Pettigrew, 31, had been given that designation on Tuesday going from the physically unable to perform list which he had been on since the start of training camp in July.

On Wednesday, his locker had been cleaned out and his nameplate gone. No sign that he had ever been around.

His career with the Lions is over.

Pettigrew tore an ACL in December 2015 and had not played since.

He finally was cleared to practice on Nov. 22. The next week he talked to the media and said he wanted to play that Sunday.

“We’ll see where it goes, I’m not going to say for certain I’m going to play Sunday we’ll see where I’m at at the end of the week,” he said on Nov. 28.

He continued to practice through last week.

Coach Jim Caldwell does not comment on injured players and it has been no different with Pettigrew who was a first-round draft pick in 2009.

In seven seasons with the Lions, he had 301 catches for 2,965 yards and 17 touchdowns even though his strength was his ability to block.

Ins and outs

DeAndre Levy could have a good chance to return on Sunday against the Chicago Bears after missing the last 11 games with a knee injury. The weakside linebacker has been practicing for weeks, picking up the pace this week. He is officially listed as questionable, same as in recent games when he did not play. He did not speak to the media again this week.

Center Travis Swanson (concussion) has been officially declared out for Sunday. He will be replaced by Graham Glasgow who started the last seven games at left guard.

Safety Don Carey (hamstring), tight end Eric Ebron (knee), wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (quad), running back Dwayne Washington (ankle) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (knee) were limited on Friday and are all questionable for Sunday.

Looking for a nickel

The best replacement for Lions’ nickel Quandre Diggs won’t necessarily be one person.

“It could be one guy. It could be a mix and match. I couldn’t go into that right now. We’re just kind of working,” Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “We just had one day of practice, so we’ve looked at a few things and we’ll continue to look at some things and kind of figure it out what are best combination will be on Sunday.”

Diggs is out for the remainder of the season after he sustained a pectoral injury in Sunday’s win at New Orleans.

Rookie Adairius Barnes could get the nod to fill in.

“He’s coming along. You know, he’s got a little time under his belt and has played a little bit for us and we continue to give him more and more opportunities and I think, you know, he’s got talent,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s quick, can run, can mirror, but he’s young, but he’s developing. You know, I think it’s going to be alright one day.”

Austin agrees.

“I think he’s got some stuff that you can use as an inside player because he’s quick. He’s tough, he’s got good ball skills. He’s not afraid to mix it up, so he’s got the baseline you’re looking for,” Austin said.

Safety Miles Killebrew could also fill the spot at nickel. “He’s physically able to do a lot of things,” Austin said.

Waiting for the call

The Lions have made good use of their practice squad so far this season.

The most recent call-up was wide receiver TJ Jones who was signed to the 53-man roster last Saturday and then had three catches for 49 yards in the win at the Saints.

“Here we know they like to promote within so every day you’re working to hopefully catch an eye or show them you’re prepared so when the opportunity comes they don’t have second thoughts about bringing you up and letting you play,” Jones said.

This is no accident on the Lions’ part. They fill the practice squad with guys they think might be able to help them immediately.

“Early on we had to play some guys more by necessity than by design in some cases due to injury. But I think as you recall I mentioned several weeks back that if we approach this thing the right way it should end up helping us at some point because there’s going to be a time when you need every single guy on your roster to step up and play,” Caldwell said. “We keep reminding our guys that they have to prepare every single week, even the practice squad guys, as if they’re going to play. I think they do take that on. They take that approach on. They learn, they study, they work hard. They never know when their name’s going to be called and when it is you get a TJ Jones, for example. You know, last week he steps in and does a great job for us. I think that’s kind of we’re building that within the culture. They understand it, but I think it’s very, very important like you mentioned, to have every guy that’s on your roster understand that he has to be available and ready to go.”

Unlike some of the practice squad members, Jones had NFL experience thanks to playing in 10 games last season with 10 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown for the Lion.

“I think it was a big stepping stone and I’m always looking to build off of it,” Jones said.

He is not the only one who has moved up.

On Nov. 23, quarterback Jake Rudock was signed to the 53-man roster when another team wanted to sign him off the practice squad.

Linebacker Steve Longa was signed off the practice squad and played in Week 5 when the Lions were short at the position. Then he went back down to the practice squad.

Current members of the practice squad include wide receiver Jace Billingsley, cornerback Alex Carter, wide receiver Corey Fuller and tight end Khari Lee who played in the first eight games this season.